parker



(No Model.) 3 Sheets--Sheet 1..

W. D. PARKER.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

No. 368,165. Patented'Aug. 9, 1887.

W: TNESEES [N fENTUZ- (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. D. PARKER.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. I No. 368,165. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

WITNESSES- fN'LfiE/NTUET (c unky 6W flaw [2 N. PETERS, Pholo llilhognpher. Waxhlnglom o.'c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. D. PARKER.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSIGAL INSTRUMENTS.

No. 368,165. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

WI TNESSEE [NZ/ENfUFf MOQWAA N. PETERS, Phalo-Lkhognphen Washington. ma

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM D. PAR-KER, OF "WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MUNROE ORGAN REED COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,165, dated August 9, 1887.

No model.)

To' aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM D. PARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vorccster, in the county of Worcester and State of 5 Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Actions for Musical Instruments, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear,

[ and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertai us to make and use the same.

The objects of this my present invention are to provide a simple and eflicient pneumatic I "alve-action adapted to be used in connection with a set of reeds, and which will occupy but small space in the instrument, and which can be manufactured with economy and facility, while affording a durable and superior action,

2c and one which will operate with promptness and ready response to the controlling means. These objects I attain by mechanism the construction, nature, and operation of which are explained in the following description, the

particular subject-matter claimed being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of my improved pneumatic action. Figs. 2, 2", and 2 are horizontal sections at lines o o, w w, and w m, respectively. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at line yy, looking downward. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section at the same position, looking upward. Fig. 5 is a section through one of the valve-chambers,

3 5 separate from other parts. Fig. 6 is a. separate perspective view of one of the valvepnppets. Fig. 7 is alongitudinal vertical sec, tion at line 2 2, Fig. 1.

In reference to parts, A denotes the windchest from which air is to be exhausted. This may be done with any suitable form of organbellows or wind-inducing mechanism of ordinary construction, connected at the passage a for operation in the usual manner.

13 indicates the tube-block resting upon the reed-board O, and provided with cells I), in which reeds R or sound-producing devices are arranged in the usual manner as employed in reed-organs, orguinettes, and similar instru 5o ments. The reed-block B and tube-board. O

are made of any length desired to fit the in strument, or to accommodate a set of any de sired number of reeds. The reeds are disposed therein at the usual spacing or distance apart, as employed in the scale of regular-sized 5 organ-reeds, or as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, and the usual oblong slot or airpassage, c, is formed, substantially as in the ordinary manner, through the reed-board beneath each of the respective reeds. The relative position of 6c said slots is indicated in Figs. 2 and 2 by dotted lines at c.

The top or board A of the wind chest is made with a series of circular openings, (1, arranged in alternating order in two rows, the 6 openings in each row corresponding with and opening alternately into the respective passages O in the mannerillustrated. Said openings (I serve as chambers in which the valves D work. The valve is made as a puppet, or with a circular disk having a centrally-disposed depending stcm or spindle, D, which supports and guides the valve in its action, as will be hereinafter explained.

On the under side of the board A,or within the wind-chest A, is the valve seat plate E, consisting of a board having a series of circular holes orpassages, 6, corresponding in position with the chambers d, or so that the re spective openings 0 and (1 will match when placed together and form a continuous windway, through which the air passes on its way from the sounding device or reeds It into the wind-chest A. The openings 6 are counterbored from the lower side, or formed in such 8 5 manner as to leave a ledge or inwardly-projecting annular flange, f, about the opening, which flange or ledge serves as a seat for the valve D, which rests thereon. The top surface of the valveseat plateE is preferably covered 0 with a cushion. or packing, E, of soft leather or other suitable material, so as to prevent any rattling of the valves or leakage of air between the plate E and top board, A.

Guide-bars F are arranged across the open- 5 ings 6, through which the spindle or stem D of the valves is extended, suitable holes being formed in said guide-bars axially coinciding with the openings 6 and chambers d for the reception of said valvespindle. These holes 35 cesscs is varied.

are of such size as will confine the spindlesD sufficiently to prevent the valve from swaying laterally off from its seat, while at the same time permitting the free upward and downward movement ofthe valve. The guide bars F are preferably let into longitudinal grooves formed in the plate E, as shown at 9, Figs. 1 and 5.

The valve D is opened by lilting it upward from the seat fin opposition to the pressure ofair induced by the exhaustion of the chamber A. The countcrbore or enlargement of the opening 0 below the valveseat allows ample space for c .ick action of the current the 1 5 instant the val\ e leaves its seat, thus affording quick and full response of the sounding de vices.

Below the valve-seat plate is arranged a pneumatic bed, H, having on its upper side a series oi'pneumatic motors, Lrespectively cor- 0 ing the several recesses and forming thercovcr the flexible diaphragms on which the disks of the pneumatics are secured in a manner that will'pcrmit them to rise and fall as the relative air-pressure within and above the re- The sheet of leather H may form the diaphragms of the entire series of pneumatics I in a singlepiece, if desired.

A strip of paper or fabric, K, is arranged over the ends of the openings h, and a pin- 0 hole is perforated through said strip of paper into each of the windways or passages 71..

The pneumatic bed H is arranged at a convenient distance below the valvc-seat plate E,

so as to leave a chamber or air-space between 5 the two, which air-space opens into the windchest, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A windway-block, L, having a series ofairpassages, Z, through it, is arranged between the bed-piece H and top board, A. The pas 5o sages Z connect the passages h with windways w,leadi ng from the tracker-range T, over which a perforated music-sheet, M, may be passed to act as a valve for opening and closing the series of windways, and thereby controlling the inlet of air to the respective pneumatic diaphragms and governing the action of the devices in accordance with the music to be pcrformed.

It preferred, manual keys or any other suitable well-known means may be employed for regulating the inlet of air at the windways w and controlling the acti'on in lieu of a perforated music-sheet.

In the construction herein shown. it will be noticed that the valves D are entirely free and disconnected from other parts, save that they are confined in axial alignment by the guide,

so that they can fall by gravity when the pneumatic motor or lifting device is relieved from pressing on the stem D.

It will also be noticed that the closing of the valve is in a direction coincident with the direction in which the air-current passes through the windway, hence theair-pressu re occasioned by the wiml-inducing apparatus, acting upon the area of the valve, assists in closing the valve, and also serves to hold it down to its seat when closed. The stronger the pressure the more tightly will the valve hold.

The area of the pneumatic diaphragm requires to be butslightly greater than that of the valve, since both work under the same degrce of pressure, and the diaphragm has only to overcome the pluck of the valve and'to lift the weight of the valve and disk, which is comparatively slight, there being no springs or other counter forces to overcome. Thus the action is rendered very light and capable of instant movement under slight Variations of the air-pressurc,giving quick response and facility for playing allegro passages of music.

The guide-bar F serves as a stop for the pneumatic disks when exploded or inflated, as well as for guiding the valve-stems. The disks are preferably capped with a softpackingcushion, as 2, to avoid rattling against said bar, or the cushion material may be attached to the guide-bar.

By alternating the valves 1) and the pneumatic devices in two rows, as illustrated, the mechanism is brought within the regular scale or spacing ofstamlard-sized organ-reeds, and sufficient room is also afforded for the circular pnemnatics, valves, and valve-chambers.

The improvement may be employed in reedorgans, automatic organs, and other musical instruments of a similar nature.

The operation of my improved action is as follows: Air being let into one of the ducts or passages in when the air in the chamber A is exhausted, the pneumatic l, corresponding therewith, is in liatcd, thereby throwing itsdisk upward toward or against the guide-bar F. This movement lifts the valve D from its seat, so that air will be drawn down through the windway, chamber, or space surroundim said valve, and the sounding of the corresponding reed thereby effected. Then, when the wind-duct w is again closed from the external. air, equalization of pressure above and below the pneumatic diaphragm is established by the leakage of air from the passage it through the pinhole K, and the atmospheric pressure, acting on the disk of the valve, forces down said valve and the pneumatic diaphragm, and also causes the val V0 to cling to its seat by reason. of excess of pressure on its upper surface.

Among the advantages incident to my invention may be mentioned its simplicity of construction and great convenience in arrangement and grouping of parts; also, its great promptness and ellieiency of action and its strength and durability f or service.

The valves are brought directly beneath the ICO IIO

reeds, as well as into the scale or spaces corresponding with the reeds. The action of the valves is quick, free, and positive, no springs of any kind whatever being required or used in connection with the parts. There is no liability of any of the parts becoming deranged orjarred out ofplaee in shipping and handling the instrument.

The parts can readily be duplicated, thus rendering the cost of construction eompara tively small, while alfording great facility in manufacture.

W'hatIclaim as of my invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a musical instrument, the combination, with a reed and reed-cell having a windway leading into a wind-chest, of a puppet valve disposed within said windway to close in the direction of the air-current, and pro vidcd with a guiding and supporting stem, whereby the valve is retained in proper rela tion to its seat while f rec to work to and from the same, and a pneumatic device unattached to but engaging the lower end of said stem for forcing said valve from its seat in opposition to the air-pressure upon the valve-surface, substantially as set forth.

2. In a musical instrument, the combina tion, with the reed or sounding device, of a puppet or valve for opening and closing the air-duct thereof, disposed between said reed and the wind-chest, to be closed to its seat by the pressure of air occasioned by the windindueing apparatus acting upon the valvearea, a pneumatic actuating-motor disposed within the wind chest and acting by inflation to open said valve, the air-inlet passage leading from the interior of said pneumatic motor to the exterior of the wind-chest, and means provided with dependent stems I), a series of pneumatic motors, I, respectively disposed within the wind-chest beneath said valves and provided with windways leading to a tracker range, and means for controlling the inlet of air to said motors, substantially as set forth. at. The combination of a set of reeds with air-passages 0, arranged in ordinary scale or spacing, a series of valve-chambers disposed alternating in two rows beneath said reed-set and communicating,respectively, with said airpassages,valves D, arranged within said chambers, and. a series of pneumatic lifting diaphragms and disks disposed in corresponding alternating order beneath said valves, substantially and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a musical instrument, the combination of a reed-duct valve, D, having a stem or lifting pin, a pneumatic motor operating in conjunction with said valve-stem for raising said valve, and a guide-bar, as F, which serves as a guiding-support for the valve'stem and as a stop for the intlative action of the pneumatic motor, substantially as set forth.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination of a reed-board, 0, having reeds and wind- Ways 0, opening into valve-chambers d, the valve-seat plateE, having openingsqthe guidebars F, the valves D,havi ng stems D,that pass through said guide-bars, the bed II, having the circular pneumaties I, axially coincident with said valvestems, air-passages leading from the tracker-range to the interiors of said pneumatics, with vents at K, and means for controlling the air-pressure within said pneumaties, substantially as set forth.

7. The valve-seat plate having openings which are countcrbored to form the seatingledges f, in combination with the valve-puppets, guide-bars F, chambers d, and valve-opcrating devices, substantially as set forth.

\Vitness my hand this 15th day of February, A. I). 1887.

-WILLIAM D. PARKER.

Witnesses:

Gnas. H. BURLEIGI'I, ELLA 1 BLENUS, 

